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The City of Alexandria will host the 33rd Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival on Monday, May 31 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Rd. In case of inclement weather, the festival will be relocated to the Lee Center’s Kauffman Auditorium, 1108 Jefferson St. Admission is free.

The festival opens with The Jazz Ambassadors Dixieland Band, the United States Army’s premier touring jazz orchestra. The Jazz Ambassadors Dixieland Band features a dynamic seven-piece group, which performs jazz in the tradition of its earliest eras, sharing music in the styles of the great King Oliver, Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbecke bands. Members of the Jazz Ambassadors are selected by a highly competitive audition, and represent some of the finest musical talent in America. More than three decades of touring have earned them the title, “The Musical Ambassadors of the Army.”

the Larry Brown Quintet, a straight ahead jazz group recognized by the Washington Area Music Association as the Best Jazz Group for 2009; and

the big band sounds of the Kaleidoscope Orchestra.

The park features amphitheater and grass seating. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets. Food will be available for purchase, and grills are available in the park at the picnic sites. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited, and pets should be left at home.

Parking will be available on both sides of West Braddock R., with additional parking at the Minnie Howard 9th Grade Center, 3801 West Braddock Rd. The public is encouraged to take public transit, bike, or walk to the event. Visit www.alexandriava.gov/localmotion for the City of Alexandria Bikeways Map. The map features the City's best on-street and off-road bikeways as well as locations of grouped bicycle parking. Bicyclists are encouraged to dismount when they enter the park, and use the bicycle parking available at Fort Ward Park during their visit. For DASH route and schedule information, call 703.370.DASH or visit www.dashbus.com. For Metrobus schedule information, call 202.637.7000 or visit www.wmata.com.

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the City’s Human Rights Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation or to request materials in an alternative format, call Cheryl Lawrence of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities at 703.746.5418 (TTY 703.838.4902), or e-mail cheryl.lawrence@alexandriava.gov.

For more information, call the Special Events Hotline at 703.746.5592, the Special Events Office at 703.746.5418 or visit www.alexandriava.gov.